Woman murdered by man from whom she had sought police protection

investigators questioned those who had regular access to the house,

hmmmmm....there were more people who had regular access?

Told them who was a danger, again the victim proves their point! Pathetic policing.

Again?????

"To protect and to serve" is a pretty hollow slogan in Japan.

I don't want to repeat all the other post above but "AGAIN" is the very first word that crosses our minds just by the tittle alone. How can this happen over and over and not lead to changes in their practice?

Remember this is the country that if someone is punching you in the face, the only legal course of action is to walk (or run) to a police koban while they person is still punching you in the face and ask a police oficer to make the person stop. You don't even have a legal right to provide YOURSELF with self defense.

Guys, stalking and harassment charges are very hard to verify, police and prevent. In the US too, there isn't a lot the cops can do until something already goes wrong.

I sympathize with Lowly's point, but it's hard not to conclude that someone dropped the ball on this one.

there were more people who had regular access?

That was probably normal in the case of the others. I mean she probably had given keys to her children or other acquaintances that cared for her. But this guy had probably access against her will. I assumed he had worked in the building at the time of the first incident. This guys can climb walls and knows how to open your windows from outside.

Trust COP?

Truly sad

People keep trying to justify the (lack of) police action taken here, but consider if next time you are the one in trouble.

When it’s your life on the line, where do you turn if not to the police?

This woman did exactly what anyone would and should do, and the police let her down at the cost of her existence.

Today I saw 3 officers at a Koban instead of 2, and all 3 were just standing around. A Koban needs at most 2, so wouldn’t that 3rd guy be better off stationed at her place while the “verification of a real stalking case” took place instead of standing around aimlessly outside a Koban? There is just no excuse for this, period.

Can't really blame the cops. He can only be warned if he is stalking her and a restraining order means nothing. He has to be caught threatening or assaulting her before the cops can take any action. The blame goes solely with the nutcase that killed her and, possibly, without knowing any details, she might share some of the blame for his aggression towards her.

We don't have the whole story again...Japan could look into protection orders like we have here?

Stalking and harassment cases are difficult as the behaviour usually had to continue on several occasions before police can act. And no, it's not a simple case of stationing an officer at her house until it all blows over.

Just to reiterate what inakarob posted,

" Remember this is the country that if someone is punching you in the face, the only legal course of action is to walk (or run) to a police koban while they person is still punching you in the face and ask a police oficer to make the person stop. You don't even have a legal right to provide YOURSELF with self defense."

This is a very important point. Had this woman clobbered the guy, even in self-defense, SHE would have been prosecuted. Self-defense is basic human right.

No self-defense? I guess that is why that Kabuki actor was able to punch some dude in Roppongi and as a consequence the dude took the brunt of it in court.

I just remembered this. A friend of my got worked over by some dude at a subway station and when I asked why he didn't punch the clown out, he mentioned the law.

the reason for the murder (unknown) o.o

Lots of claims about there being no self defense laws in Japan, but then I find this:

If I am in a situation where I need to physically defend myself, would I be at fault, and subsequently arrested, for harming a Japanese national, even if it is in self defense?

If your act is legally acknowledged as a justifiable defense, you will not be arrested. A justifiable defense can be classified as an act unavoidably performed to protect your rights against imminent and unlawful infringement. It all depends, but a witness can be the best proof that the act was one of defense. Even if you have no personal or physical evidence, the circumstances can prove that it was an act of defense; for example, the police or the court may assume that it was an act of defense if you harmed a stranger in your own house.

http://www.tokyoweekender.com/2009/08/in-the-right/

J-cop motto: To serve and not protect.

One of my friends used to work in a large bentou-making company. There were security cameras, and supervisors has regular rounds.

But my friend was being harassed by another employee (technically a sempai) which are often caught on camera. Her older sister went up to the management to complain, and they told the sempai to stop. Well, he did ... for a while ... but did resume his bullying, albeit on places where the cameras can't clearly monitor what's happening. And this time, no matter how many times the older sister complains, the management won't do anything. The older sister went to the local koban and asked for help ... and the cops said: "Sorry, but until there's some crime done, we can't do anything."

I predict a lot of bowing and apologizing and then things continue as "normal".

I guess those policemen were too busy helping their colleagues making the mangas explaining women on how to stand in elevators. Rigt?

It all about priorities, useless things first, helping a woman in need second.

She sought police protection 6 months ago. Does this mean the police did nothing about it then and is supposed to have 24/7 surveillance of her house?

there isn't a lot the cops can do until something already goes wrong.

It's not for the cops to decide. There has to be a mechanism in place for a court to issue a restraining order (preventing all telephone contacts and an approach of within, say, 100 meters) and then if the stalker violates the court order, he's subject to immediate arrest.

The police do not exist to protect individuals anyplace. We must all fend for ourselves. They only keep the peace at large or investigate after the incident. That's what personal guns are about in the USA, especially for women. Also CCW ( concealed carry) licenses are good to protect self and others. Most normal people learn to be responsible.